Maine First Project President, Rep. Larry Lockman (R-Amherst) is a longtime champion of worker rights. According to Rep. Lockman, last night’s vote is yet another in a long line of examples of swamp creatures putting Mainers last.

“A majority of swamp critters in the House voted last night to keep the shackles of forced unionism on Maine workers,” Rep. Lockman said. “Principled populist conservatives will continue our fight for workplace freedom.”

Interestingly, House “leadership” never assigned the bill to committee. No public hearings were held. None of the standard steps for legislation were taken before Swamp Speaker Sara Gideon brought the bill up for a sacrificial vote.

The vote was a gift to the union hierarchy, which helps fund Democrat campaigns.

Right to Work simply makes it, so no worker is forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment. Workers who want to stay in their union do retain that option.

The Right to Work sponsor this session was Republican Rep. Dustin White of Washburn. If Rep. White doesn’t reintroduce the bill next session, Rep. Lockman has introduced Right to Work legislation in previous sessions, and it is a safe bet to assume he would again in the future.